The Geneva Pres

2016

The Presbyterian Church in Geneva 24 Park Place Geneva NY 14456 (315) 789-1343 Website: http://www.PresbyterianChurchInGenevaNewYork.org Rev., Dr. Deborah Lind-Schmitz - Minister Richard Cox - Director of Music and Adult Bell Choir Director Linda Hanson Cox, Church Organist Kathleen Breese - Dir. Christian Education Lisa Gage, Lorraine Jones – Children’s Choirs Edna May Langan – Secretary Mark Springmeier – Custodian Beth Nicholas – Parish Nurse Deb Drennen – Nursery care Paula Breese – Coordinator of Youth Ministries Alan Schenck – Financial Administrator Fritz Aude - Treasurer Bette J. Schubert - Clerk of Session Fred Schuhle – Asst. Clerk of Session Art Lewis - Webmaster

Ah, Spring! May is great month to celebrate all creation, flora and fauna and the human family. Every day, I notice another sign of life, budding trees, blossoming bulbs, and baby bunnies. Caring for God’s creatures and all of creation is a topic often discussed on Earth Day (April 22) However, I believe every day can be designated Earth Day, especially during spring time. According to “Care for God’s Creatures”, a publication of the PC(USA) Environmental Ministries, In Genesis 1:26, God completes the sixth day of creation and declares that humans should have dominion over..all creation. In this vision, humans are to work for the care, wellbeing and freedom of God’s creatures. Unfortunately, in too many cases, humankind has engaged in domination rather than careful dominion” or stewardship of creation. There are many principles in our Hebrew and Greek texts that guide us to respect and learn from creatures as well as creation. In the Book of Job, God tells Job to learn from animals (Job 12:7). Jesus points to fields of lilies and the tiny birds as examples of God’s provision and loving care. (Matthew 6:26-30). The Presbyterian Church (USA) has been engaged environmental ministries for decades. In 1990, The 202nd General Assembly (1990) adopted the document entitled "Restoring Creation for Ecology and Justice". The call then as well as now is to “participate in God’s redemption of creation”. (www. Presbyterianmission.org/Restoring-creation-for-ecology&justice) The pivotal document is both historical and educational. More recently, the interfaith, Creation Justice Ministries (www.creationjustice.org) offers resources that include activities such as Blessing the Animals, creature counting and Bible studies. During May, Ryan Kincaid is willing to lead a book discussion using “Serve God, Save the Planet: A Christian Call to Action, by J. Matthew Sleeth , M.D. It is an inspiring and educational book study which includes scriptural lessons about our “personal responsibility, living simply and year round stewardship of the earth’s resources. (Check your bulletin for times) On Sunday, our worship will be focused on creation, all creatures and restoring life. Come celebrate the gift of creation and God’s life giving spirit. Pastor Deborah

May 1 Sixth Sunday of Easter Scriptures: Psalm 67, John 5: 1-9, Sermon: “Restoring Creation” May 8 Seventh Sunday of Easter (Mother’s Day and Ascension) Scriptures: John 17:20-26, Acts 1:1-11 ( Sermon: “Praying for You “ May 15 Day of Pentecost (Wear red) Scriptures: Genesis 11:1-9, Acts 2:1-21 Sermon: Life Giving Spirit May 22 Trinity Sunday (Ethan Powell Preaching) Scriptures: John 16: 12-15, Romans 5:1-5 May 29 Second Sunday after Pentecost (Green) Luke 7:1-10 Trusting God’s Promise to Restore Life Galatians 1:1-12 Sermon: Are You a People Pleaser?

FYI – LOOKING AHEAD We will worship TOGETHER (8:15 & 10:30) in ONE SERVICE at The Presbyterian Church beginning JUNE 12 until SEPTEMBER 11. The service will begin at

9:30 in our Sanctuary. We look forward to see you this summer!!

Adult Forum Meets from 9:15-10:15 on Sunday morning in the

South Parlor Social Issue Study: Prison Nation

We continue our six-part study of the prison system in the US with two guest speakers.

May 1 Alice Haskins, Chief Corrections Officer of the Ontario County Sheriff’s Department, will speak about services provided for those in prison in Ontario County. May 8 The Honorable Steven Aronson, Canandaigua City Court Judge, Acting County Court Judge, and Acting Family Court Judge, will speak about Alternative Courts in the area. Such courts include drug court, youth court and veterans’ court.

Embracing Interfaith Cooperation We will end the program year by exploring the challenges and possibilities of interfaith cooperation using a DVD-based curriculum developed by Cokesbury.

May 15 discussion facilitated by Mat DeMoras

May 22 discussion facilitated by Tim Merwarth

June 5 discussion facilitated by Michele Ross

There will be no Adult Forum on May 29, June 12 or June 19.

Summer Study Sunday Mornings: Living the Questions In her sermons this summer, Pastor Deb will be posing—and reflecting on—a question from the series Living the Questions. We will then gather in the South Parlor after the service to watch a short film clip addressing the question raised in the sermon and engaging in conversation about it. Begins June 26. Weekday Evenings: Let’s Talk

We continue our practice of holding monthly events in the summer to explore current issues in a relaxed setting. Space limited, reservations should be made through the church office or website.

June--Pastor Deb and the Reverend Cameron Miller, the new part-time rector of Trinity Episcopal Church, will offer a joint discussion for members of the two churches on “A Coffee Shop Ministry,” date, time and location to be determined. July 12--Don Wertman will speak on “Life-giving Seeds” at the home of Tim and Sandy Merwarth August 25--Jim Spates will speak on Ruskin at the home of Tim and Sandy Merwarth

I would like to thank all the members and friends of the congregation who had their pictures taken by Taylor Moran. At the end of our second Sunday, we had a total of fifty families who had their picture taken for the Church Pictorial Directory and almost half of them were walk-ins. Taylor returned on Sunday, April 24th for another morning of picture taking. All families who had their picture taken will receive a copy of the picture used for the pictorial directory. Taylor Moran may return in the future to take additional pictures for the Church Pictorial directory, but in the meantime, you can always submit your family picture to the Church Office for inclusion in the directory. You may email us the picture, saved in a JPEG format, to ServantKeeper@pcgny.org, or send a printed picture (4” x 6”) to the church office. We will publish an updated Pictorial Directory after all the pictures taken by Taylor have been added to the church database and copies will be available in the Church Office.

MAY 8 – MOMS sing with Children’s Choir, 10:30 worship Warm-up 9:00 PRACTICE – MAY 1, 9:00 MAY 29 – NO Sunday School JUNE 5 – Sunday School Sunday – all classes take part JUNE 19 – BACCALAUREATE Sunday - we honor ALL graduates on this day. High School seniors will take part in worship. ANYONE receiving a college degree please contact the church office with your information.

MAY 11, 7:00 CAMPBELL’S SOUP UPC CODES Please save your UPC CODES Campbells is ending its labels for education program SO May will be the last month that we collect UPC codes. Thanks for your support all these years!!!!!! BOX TOPS FOR EDUCATION to benefit Geneva Head Start 2 CENTS – A - MEAL We will collect 2 cents offerings on MAY 1 You can make a difference in the lives of hungry people!!!

What: Sky Zone Indoor Trampoline Park When: Sunday, May 1st Time: Meet at Church at 1:15, arrive at Sky Zone 2:30, arrive back at church at 5:30 Price: $20 ($18 for pass, $2 for sky socks) http://www.skyzone.com/ Reservations were made on Monday, April 25th.

When: Sunday, May 15th What: Pizza party and games

Where: Taylor Champlin’s House – 4023 Braewood Lane Time: 3:00-5:00 Please RSVP to Paula by email (pjfoote25@gmail.com) by Tuesday, May 10th. Please let her know if you can work the whole time or what time frame you can work.

When: Saturday, May 21st Where: Church

Time: 9:00-12:00 Please RSVP to Paula by email (pjfoote25@gmail.com) by Monday, May 16th. Please let her know if you can work the whole time or what time frame you can work.

Youth Fellowship May

Grades 6-12

Upcoming Events: MAY 15 – PW meeting, 9:15 am (please note time change) Conference room Mark your calendar: Strawberry Festival – JUNE 15, 2016 - 5:30-8:00 PM Donna Newcomb and Bev Burrall – co-chairs Please watch the bulletins and sign up JUNE 14 – We will be hulling and slicing the berries beginning at 5:00 p.m. – until done. Plan to join us for a time as your schedule permits.

Friendship Study Group - Tuesday, May 10, 1:30 pm “Streams of mercy never ceasing – Forgiveness”. The lessons are interactive and open for all discussions. All women welcome to attend. Needles/Craft – Thursday, May 5, 1-3:00 pm

Planting Seeds Yay! Springtime! While this winter was

relatively mild compared to last year’s, I am still excited for all that the spring has to offer! One of my favorite things to do at this time of year is plant seeds! From pumpkins to peas, I enjoy the whole process – choosing a pot, adding the soil, spacing the seeds, watering… Oh, the joy of a newly-sprouted seedling! At school, I currently have a myriad of seedlings sprouting up! The students and I have planted beans, flowers, peppers, maples, and more! Recently, a friend brought me a grapefruit seed and that’s growing too! Gardening gets me thinking about what we reap and sow in a more metaphorical sense. What kinds of seeds do you want to plant in the world? Jesus calls us to love one another, God wants us to hope for a brighter future, and believe in Him. Thus, we are asked to plant seeds of love, hope, and faith. In a world filled with war, hurting, and despair, think about how you can spread seeds of peace, comfort, and joy. Then, like a gardener, work to care for them with patience and kindness. Reflect on your interaction with the earth and its inhabitants. What can you do to transform your part of the world into the beautiful garden God intended it to be – both literally and figuratively? Perhaps a neighbor could use some seeds of help or friendship, and if you’re able, plant some actual seeds too! :)

Opportunity! Last month, I called your attention to our responsibility of taking care of the earth, and mentioned a book I’d been reading, entitled “Serve God, Save the Planet”. I am now creating an inter-denominational book club which will be reading it and discussing it together! The group will meet once a week during June, July, and August. If you are interested in joining the group, please let me know! with smiles, ~Ryan Kincaid

BLANKET THE WORLD WITH LOVE SUNDAY,MAY 8-MOTHER’S DAY Mother’s Day is a day when families across the country get together to celebrate moms, grandmothers, aunts, and other “special” mothers in their lives. It is a day when churches give thanks for all the mothers in their congregations. AND it is a day when Church World Service honors mothers around the world through the CWS Blanket & Tool Program. Help wrap the world in warmth and love ……

Dear friends, Thank you for your continued support of the Geneva Center of Concern and Food Pantry. Literacy Volunteers of Ontario-Yates wish to Thank you for your recent donation. Community support is vital to the organization and enables it to continue helping Basic Literacy Learners and English Language Learners improve their skills, and in many cases become citizens or earn a high school equivalency diploma. The West Virginia Ministry of Advocacy and Workcamps is a Christian ministry supported in part by the Presbyterian Church USA that offers the opportunity for discipleship by partnering with those in need whose lives have been devastated by natural disasters or by the disaster of poverty in areas of West Virginia. Thank you so much for your recent donation. Your gift will go a long way toward the cost of roofing, or providing lumber to rebuild walls or ceilings, a deck to replace a rotted porch or a wheel chair ramp.

SERRV International Fair Trade Gift Shop

Your support changes lives!

Being a nonprofit fair trade and development organization in a highly competitive and price-conscious society is not easy! The price of a product cannot cover all of the costs of the wide variety of support services which SERRV offers to artisans and farmers. SERRV provides not only fair prices and vital income, but also training, grants, emergency assistance, and other resources. These enable artisans and farmers in 32 developing countries and the United States to improve their lives and create a sustainable future for their families and communities. With knowledge and skills, hardworking artisans can develop successful, sustainable businesses that will provide for their families and communities for a lifetime. It’s not too soon to be thinking about that special Mother’s Day gift, graduation gift or even just shopping for yourself!! We have recently received a new order and are stocking the shelves with great new items. Stop in during our regular hours on Saturday from 10:00 to 12:30 or after church services on Sunday. Tell your friends too! Our Committee is very thankful for all who volunteer their time to help us and those who visit our shop!

Why do we sing to God? What is it that brings us to sing to God, or, if you will, blow tunes on the flute or press down the keys of the organ, or to dance or sculpt or paint or mold pots and figures? Is it perhaps that words sometimes come up short when trying to express our experience, to plumb the depths of our understanding, or the depths of our sorrow or joy, or to express something beyond what our minds can grasp but our hearts perceive. I find myself, not infrequently, whistling or singing to myself as I walk about on the street or perhaps in Wegman’s or elsewhere. Also, not infrequently, someone will smile and say “Oh, you must be happy today, Richard!” Perhaps. but there are times when I think, “Have you never heard of the Blues? Have you never read the biblical songs that cry or protest to God? “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from helping me, from the words of my Groaning? O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer…” For me and I suspect, for many, the events of our lives generate the need to respond and that is what drives our audible, spacial, or visual response. It is the way we express our deepest feelings of joy or despair, praise or plea. It is how we weave our lives with our whole being in the midst of life’s shifting currents of joys and sorrows, beauty and ugliness. We sing to be closer to God, to strengthen our resolve, to praise. For some of us, the urge to sing, to dance, to make music, is irrepressible. One of Art ! GarfunkelI’s songs expresses this vividly. “I shall sing, sing my song, be it right, be it wrong. In the night, in the day, anyhow, anyway, I shall sing. With my heart, with my soul, for the young, for the old. When I’m high, when I’m low, when I’m first, when I’m slow, I shall sing.” All our lives are reason for singing, dancing and praising God, for through all of it, God is with us, and when we sing, we vibrate with that understanding, we vibrate with that love that is the food for our hope, the reason for our actions. It brings us closer to God and to each other.

Dear Church Family, A few years ago the Parish Health Ministry Team ran a series on “planning ahead” (a more pleasant way of saying planning for your death). Despite the fact this is not the cheeriest of topics, it is an extremely important one that should be discussed before the time comes. There are too many choices, too many ways to attempt to keep our bodies going (maybe without our minds), and too many folks with different ideas of what should be done if we should be stricken with something horrible and painful. Only you should make the decision as to how much you do or don’t want done. And if you can’t decide or can’t speak, you should name someone you can trust to make that choice for you Your primary physician has a form called the MOLST. It is very thorough in the possibilities out there and how far you want the medical field to go in keeping you alive. There are also living wills, health care proxy forms and there is always the good old DNR (do not resuscitate) order meaning if your heart stops no one should try to restart it. I can give you any of these forms. My Mother died in Highland Hospital of breast cancer that had metastasized to the bone. Her doctor came to us asking for a DNR order. She was suffering and in a coma. I felt it was the right thing to do. My Dad asked me how I could let my 45 year old Mother just die. We had never discussed what she wanted in this situation. It was a miserable conversation to have without her input and it will haunt me forever. Please do not do this to your family. Talk about it, even if you are only in your 20s. Bad things can happen to good people. If you haven’t had “the conversation” it can lead to confusion, guilt, and hurtful words between your family members (and they still may not do what you hoped they would!). Also there is always the DNR (do not resuscitate) order, meaning if your heart stops no one should try to restart it. Your loved ones need to know what you want, where you want to be buried or if you want to be cremated and what you have and where it is (the will, stocks, the life insurance policy or great-aunt Matilda’s big diamond ring that you hid in the vitamin bottle on the third shelf behind the flour). Family doesn’t necessarily know these things. I have a variety of information on how to start the conversation and what family needs to know. I can help facilitate if needed. Call me with questions 315 759 9039. God Bless, Beth

Saturday, May 21, 9:00 - noon

And your name is …. You know who you are, but does everyone else know? You are wondering who that person is that is sitting around you, but the name escapes you. There is a new person attending, but what is his/her name? Both the Membership Committee and Deacons are implementing using Name Tags very soon. Please participate. When you come into the church, look for the box with the name tags, find your name tag and wear it. When you leave church, please return your name tag for the next time you are at church. If you see a new face, please introduce yourself to her/him. We all Thank You for your participation, your welcoming smile and kind words.

The Memorials and History Committee recently received several donations in memory of Harold “Red” Knight, by: Mr. and Mrs. John Oaks, of Oaks Corners, North Street School friends of Julie Hadyk, Mr. and Mrs. Emory Faulks of Ontario NY, Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey Kukura of Hilton NY. In memory of Janice Hazell, by: Mr. and Mrs. Stuart Messur, Sally Tomion and Bill Arehart, all of Geneva. In memory of Phyllis Fellows by Richard Talomie of Bristow, VA, Jack and Betty Finocchiaro of Fulton NY, Ross and LaRita Hackler of Anderson SC, Howard and Anna Scribner of Hall and Beth Newell of Geneva

PASSAGES The Rev. Dr. Cynthia Huling Hummel will be speaking here on May 7 (Sat.) at 1pm in the Fellowship Hall. She is a Presbyterian Pastor who has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and will be speaking from both the perspective of the caretaker and the person with Alzheimer’s disease. She has some helpful information for those dealing with this diagnosis. Light refreshments will be served.

May

Bob Bailey 1 Cindy Chapin 2 Lucille Stewart 2 Anthony Saracino 3 Alaina Miller 8 Sarah Pane 9 Saige Alexander 11 Rick Gulvin 11 Ann Hovey 12 Darlene Cieri 13 Nason Fishback, Sr. 14 Calla Magee 14 Trevor Burrall 15 Emily Campbell 15 Ed Frick 15 Judith McKinney 15 Robert Ansley 16 Brad Broyles 16 Sandy Ansley 17 Andrew Cieri 17 Hugh Baxter 18 William Clyde 19 Sigrid Carle 20 Jessica Gulvin 20 Kristin Oswald 21 Johnny Blume 23 Natalie Berg-Pappert 24 Jeff Newcomb 24 Bruce Reed 24 Kenneth Steadman 24 John Fouracre 27 Beth Carle 28 Dorothy Oaks 31 Is your May birthday missing from the list? If so, send a note with your birthday to the church office or send it in an email to ServantKeeper@pcgny.org.

Pastor Deb - deblindschmitz@pcgny.org Edna May - secretary@pcgny.org Alan Schenck - finadmin@pcgny.org Servant Keeper - servantkeeper@pcgny.org

NEWSLETTER DEADLINE MAY 20 - NOON

"Somebody has said there are only two kinds of people in the world: There are those who wake up in the morning and say, "Good morning, Lord," and There are those who wake up in the morning and say, "Good Lord, it's morning."

Birthday Offering Celebration and “Building Minds in South Sudan”

A birthday party for all the

women in the church! All women are invited by PW to a special luncheon and birthday party following the June 5th 10:30 service

We will also celebrate a project that the PW Birthday Offering has supported. (All women in the church are part of Presbyterian Women) Linda Werts will speak about the Majok-Keen Girls School in South Sudan which is under construction now by "Building Minds in South Sudan," thanks to a PW Birthday Offering Grant Linda was privileged to be in South Sudan for the groundbreaking ceremonies in January of this year. She will share her enthusiasm for this project with us. Sunday, June 5th. 11:45. Lunch and cupcakes will be served. Suggested donation $5.00 Number of Reservations ________ Any special dietary needs? Month of your birthday_______________ Name __________________________ Phone __________________ Also click here to register on the church website.

May 2016 Happy Sunday Worship Services – 8:15 and 10:30 Sunday School – 9:00 Adult Sunday School – 9:15

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1 Blood Pressure Check following both services SERRV shop open following both services Deacons Supper/Talent Show 5:30

2 I & S Committee 7:30

3 Adult Ed Committee – 5:30 Property Committee

7:00

4 Last Sewing Class 9:00 Deacons – 7:00

5 Needles Group 1:00 Memorials Com. 7:00 Choir 7:00

6 7 SERRV Shop open 10:00 – 12:30 Passages- 1:00 Rev. Cynthia Huling Hummel

8 Blanket/Tool Offering received Mother’s Day SERRV Shop open following both services

9 C. E. Committee 7:00

10 Red Cross Blood Drive – 1:00-7:00 Women’s Circles 1:00

11 Worship Committee – 7:00 Finance Committee 7:30

12 Choir 7:00

13 14 SERRV Shop open 10:00 – 12:30

15 Communion at both services PW Committee – 11:45

16

17 Communications Committee – 7:00

18 19 Choir 7:00

20 Twilight Group 10:30 NEWSLETTER DEADLINE - NOON

21 SERRV shop open 10:00 – 12:30 CLEAN-UP 9-noon

22 SERRV Shop open following both services

23 Mission Committee 7:30

24 Membership Committee – 6-7:00 SERRV Committee 7:00

25 Session – 7:00

26 Choir 7:00

27 28 SERRV Shop open 1:00-12:30

29 No Sunday School SERRV Shop open following both services

30 Church office closed

31